Truck drivers’ behavior in encounters with vulnerable road users at intersections: Results from a test-track experiment

Crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians in Europe cause the deaths of about 7600 persons every year. Both are especially exposed crashes with motorized vehicles collisions trucks can lead to severe injury outcomes. The two most frequent crash scenarios between these vulnerable road users (VRU) are: a) when truck wants turn right at an intersection, a cyclist riding parallel planning cross intersection b) pedestrian crosses front perpendicular direction movement truck. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—that expected prevent or mitigate crashes—benefit from detailed information behavior drivers. This study is first exploration this research area, aim assess how drivers negotiate encounters VRUs described above. Thirteen participants drove instrumented on test-track. After some baseline recordings, experienced laps where they encountered target crossing their path. results show that adapted kinematic visual VRU targets were compared laps. speed profiles diverged approximately 30 m glances directed more often towards right, during scenario comparison For crossing, changed 14 center, As result, both distance end maneuver significantly different Overall, findings provide valuable for design ADAS warn presence travelling intervene avoid collision pedestrian.